Council, residents hit out over Samuel Gilbert Public School redevelopment

History is repeating itself after a lack of parking was identified as a key reason residents and council have objections to a redevelopment plan for Samuel Gilbert Public School.

An artist impression of the proposed redevelopment of Samuel Gilbert Public School.

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History is repeating itself after a lack of parking was identified as a key reason residents and council have objections to a redevelopment plan for Samuel Gilbert Public School.

The NSW Government submitted plans earmarking the redevelopment of the entire school, which includes a three-storey educational facility — with new staff and administration offices — a new library and 23 new working spaces.

An entrance with accessible lift access to accommodate the increase in student numbers from 780 to 1000 was also detailed in the plan.

An artist impression of the main entrance proposed for Samuel Gilbert Public School.

However, The Hills Shire Council has rejected the redevelopment, citing concerns around insufficient on-site parking, visual and acoustic impacts for neighbouring homes and ‘significant’ height issues.

The objection follows council and Castle Hill state Liberal MP Ray Williams criticising the Education Department for a lack of parking at the new North Kellyville Public School last year.

“The current development application does not seek to provide additional on-site parking,” a council representative said.

“Further, the existing on-site parking arrangement is deficient as it does not provide an adequate number of spaces to service the existing capacity of the school.

“It is understood that the proposal seeks to increase student numbers from 780 to 1000 and staff numbers from 45 to 58 — despite seeking to further intensify the use by increasing the number of students and staff, the proposal makes no consideration for providing further on-site parking.”

However, within the Education Department’s submission states “existing off-street parking, which is to remain unchanged, provides 26 formal parking spaces”.

“Recent observations of this parking area have identified some informal parking within this area and some vacancies in the formal parking spaces,” the application said.

“With regards to visitor parking, it is noted that the shopping centre car park and the public reserve car park to the north and east of the site respectively, is currently used by parents and guardians of children and general visitors associated with the school.”

An overview of the three-storey learning hub along Ridgecrop Drive, Castle Hill.

The proposal also seeks the approval of constructing a new hall, along with the removal of 12 demountables and the demolition of existing classroom space.

Hills resident Graeme Nowland said height and road setbacks were an issue.

“The proposed front of building will not fit in with the current landscape and will just be a

statement of current design that will age as time goes on,” Mr Nowland said.

“There is also lots of room to push the proposal back to a 30 meter buffer from the road and would possibly reduce building and earthwork costs.”

Castle Hill state Liberal MP Ray Williams said he has received correspondence regarding the parking and traffic implications at the school.

“These issues are not unfamiliar across schools in The Hills, so I would hope that the Education Department would consider these issues to ensure appropriate services are provided,” he said.

“Bus services are good, however, there is always a need for parents to pick up and drop off their children.”

MORE AT SCHOOL

School zones have been installed outside the new Bella Vista and North Kellyville public schools in a move to ensure student safety.

Baulkham Hills state Liberal MP David Elliott said new 40km/h school zones were being installed along a 230m zone at Fairway Drive — between Free Settlers Drive and Ernesta Place — as well as a further 200m along Ernesta Place.

A new 40km/h school zone will also be installed outside North Kellyville Public School, along Hezlett Rd and Mossop Way.

New school zones have been installed outside Bella Vista and North Kellyville public schools.

“This lower speed limit will reduce the risk and potential severity of a crash,” Mr Elliott said.

The new school zones will operate from 8am to 9.30am and 2.30pm to 4pm on school days.

“Crews will be on site to install the new school zone signs and road marking until the end of January, weather permitting,” Mr Elliott said.